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Recent rumors and gossip about NHLen-usReport: NHL players want to compete in the 2018 Olympics
Will NHL players compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics scheduled to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea? That topic has been widely discussed and debated ever since the final whistle blew on the 2014 Winter Olympics which saw Canada take home the gold. The introduction of the World Cup of Hockey, scheduled for 2016 in Toronto, has led many to believe the NHL is trying to move away from sending representative to the Olympics. However, Donald Fehr, executive officer of the NHLPA, states that the players still want to compete.
Fehr’s comments, as seen on Sportsnet, outline the differences between the World Cup of Hockey and the Olympics and indicate that player revenue and the fact participants could theoretically compete in both events as reasons why the tournament is still attractive to players.
“They’re radically different in two different respects. The first is that the World Cup is an event which is hockey only. You don’t have any competition, you don’t have anything else. And...25 Jul 2015 18:26:37 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_nhl_players_want_to_compete_in_the_2018_olympics/19232746
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_nhl_players_want_to_compete_in_the_2018_olympics/19232746Report: NHL players want to compete in the 2018 Olympicshttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/report_nhl_players_want_to_compete_in_the_2018_olympics/19232746http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/3/f328a47913699770281a67a031f14a9480907028/mini/GettyImages-474152479.jpgDucks go big with Kesler extension; Oilers do the right thing with Schultz
The Anaheim Ducks have locked up forward Ryan Kesler to a huge six-year $41.25 million deal. The agreement, which will begin starting 2016-17, will prevent the Michigan native from hitting the free agent market as he was scheduled to do after next season.
The move is a lot of money ($6.875 million until 2021-22) for a player coming off of a 20-goal season and is already 30 years old. Now that’s not a knock against Kesler, who is a fine player both offensively and defensively, but it’s a significant amount of money to commit to somebody who’s exiting his prime. As theScore’s Justin Bourne semi-joked on Twitter, Kesler would be a prime candidate to be a selection should an expansion draft happen. The contract is simply not good. Anaheim wants continuity, but they’re paying the price to for it.
The club has the trio of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Kesler locked up until 2021, but there’s still a lot the club has to do. Carl Hagelin, acquired in a draft-day trade for a package that...15 Jul 2015 18:59:36 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/the_anaheim_ducks_go_big_with_a_ryan_kesler_extension_while_oilers_do_the_right_thing_with_justin_schultz/19154599
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/the_anaheim_ducks_go_big_with_a_ryan_kesler_extension_while_oilers_do_the_right_thing_with_justin_schultz/19154599Ducks go big with Kesler extension; Oilers do the right thing with Schultzhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/the_anaheim_ducks_go_big_with_a_ryan_kesler_extension_while_oilers_do_the_right_thing_with_justin_schultz/19154599http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/6/569a81bc45b027c0e9ca600d5fd9bc2bc0625653/mini/Ryan_Kesler_April_22_2015_cropped.jpgReport: Drunk Ryan O’Reilly drove truck into a Tim Hortons
According to a report filed by AM 980 Buffalo Sabres forward Ryan O’Reilly was arrested on Monday for being impaired while driving his truck into a Tim Hortons and fleeing the scene. Here’s how the report describes the bizarre event.
According to Middlesex County OPP, a green Chevrolet pickup struck struck a commercial building on Richmond St. last Thursday morning (July 9) just after 4:00am. An employee of the Lucan Tim Hortons confirmed to AM980 that there had been a motor vehicle incident, but was unaware of the driver’s identity.
After the collision, police say a suspect drove the vehicle southbound on Saintsbury Line, before abandoning it and travelling by foot with another, unnamed, male occupant.
The vehicle was located on Harold Court, while both occupants were found on Main Street.
Police determined that the the driver had been drinking alcohol. He was arrested, transported to an OPP detachment for breath testing, then released on a promise to appear.
If it’s tru...13 Jul 2015 20:14:13 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_ryan_oreilly_charged_with_drunk_driving_his_truck_into_a_tim_hortons/19143283
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_ryan_oreilly_charged_with_drunk_driving_his_truck_into_a_tim_hortons/19143283Report: Drunk Ryan O’Reilly drove truck into a Tim Hortonshttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/report_ryan_oreilly_charged_with_drunk_driving_his_truck_into_a_tim_hortons/19143283http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/2/32cc8592e26dc3c03994b729d5edb457cf001ddc/mini/YB-RyanOReilly.jpgSabres draw over 17,000 fans for scrimmage
Do you think Buffalo Sabres fans might be excited to see Jack Eichel? An announced crowd of 17,115 fans took in a scrimmage game, shifting what should have been a relatively typical prospects game into a playoff atmosphere.
OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE: 17,115. That is a #BlueAndGold scrimmage record. Thank you fans for your support! #OneBuffalo pic.twitter.com/hNJEEXaUV4
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 11, 2015
Another view of the crowd tonight. #OneBuffalo #BlueAndGold pic.twitter.com/eoXYX7DEwh
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 11, 2015
Martin Biron may have summed things up the best.
17,115 the attendance at Sabres scrimmage. I've played in front of half that at time in reg season. Good for Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/BHTpyEEYsU
— Martin Biron (@martybiron43) July 11, 2015
The post 17,115 fans attend Sabres scrimmage game appeared first on Puck Drunk Love.11 Jul 2015 23:48:03 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/17115_fans_attend_sabres_scrimmage_game/19132027
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/17115_fans_attend_sabres_scrimmage_game/19132027Sabres draw over 17,000 fans for scrimmagehttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/17115_fans_attend_sabres_scrimmage_game/19132027http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/9/89b7272f633047346ee1d13745c60505265d72fc/mini/sabres.jpgThe Blackhawks trade Patrick Sharp to the Dallas Stars
The Chicago Blackhawks have traded another key member from their Stanley Cup winning club, this time dealing Patrick Sharp and prospect Stephen Johns to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt.
Sharp had a down season, scoring only 16 goals and 43 points in 68 games this year, but scored 15 points on the team’s Cup run. With a high cap hit, and the rising contracts of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the cap-crunched Blackhawks had to move some contracts and Sharp – along with RFA Brandon Saad – were roster casualties.
Daley scored 16 goals for the Stars last season and carries a $3.3 million cap-hit for the next two seasons. While that’s a great number, he’s a horrible possession player who’s no spring chicken at 31-years-old. Garbutt is a solid depth player, but isn’t much more than that.
Stars take on Sharp full-on at $5.9 m cap hit. Ditto Hawks with Daley at $3.3 m. But obviously some cap relief for Chicago tonight
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun...11 Jul 2015 11:21:55 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/the_blackhawks_trade_patrick_sharp_to_the_dallas_stars/19131628
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/the_blackhawks_trade_patrick_sharp_to_the_dallas_stars/19131628The Blackhawks trade Patrick Sharp to the Dallas Starshttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/the_blackhawks_trade_patrick_sharp_to_the_dallas_stars/19131628http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/1/e1319e5257d0d11f17fbe22a0f86c937dec06c49/mini/GettyImages-477632288.jpgAndrew Desjardins eats cereal out of Stanley Cup
What would you do if you could spend a day with the Stanley Cup? If you’re Andrew Desjardins, you start the day by eating a huge amount of Lucky Charms out of the Cup.
Starting a day with breakfast, yummy. #StanleyCup @NHLBlackhawks @HockeyHallFame (Hhofarchives) pic.twitter.com/wtG8UBE3dd
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 7, 2015
That Cup has been in a lot of places and had a lot of babies sitting inside it, so we certainly hope it was cleaned thoroughly.
The post Andrew Desjardins eats cereal out of the Stanley Cup appeared first on Puck Drunk Love.08 Jul 2015 03:21:49 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/andrew_desjardins_eats_cereal_out_of_the_stanley_cup/19111297
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/andrew_desjardins_eats_cereal_out_of_the_stanley_cup/19111297Andrew Desjardins eats cereal out of Stanley Cuphttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/andrew_desjardins_eats_cereal_out_of_the_stanley_cup/19111297http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/4/b4a551e837330a70b98ed52f1a1371a9f672b395/mini/desjardins.jpgAndrei Kostitsyn interested in return to NHL
The last time we saw Andrei Kostitsyn, he was suspended for two games by the Nashville Predators during the 2012 postseason for missing curfew along with teammate Alexander Radulov. Shortly after the Predators were eliminated, both Kostitsyn and Radulov left the NHL and returned to Russia. Now, Kostitsyn is ready to return to the NHL and he’s not picky about where he plays.
As seen on Sportsnet, Kostitsyn has been training, enjoys the NHL’s style of play and believes he can contribute to any squad.
“I’m ready. I want to say when I come there again I’ll be excited like it’s the first time. I’m doing my best — training hard and working hard. I’ll try to score lots of goals like I know I can.
I like to play the style there. You have more chances in the smaller rink. A lot of good chances to score goals. … I’m open to any team; happy to be there. I think I can help any team.”
Kostitsyn’s off-ice issues may be easier to overlook considering the 30-year-old is reportedly only04 Jul 2015 21:56:20 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/andrei_kostitsyn_open_to_playing_for_any_nhl_team/19093885
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/andrei_kostitsyn_open_to_playing_for_any_nhl_team/19093885Andrei Kostitsyn interested in return to NHLhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/andrei_kostitsyn_open_to_playing_for_any_nhl_team/19093885http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/8/18812c40a929aa925c5669f4cef5fd90bb881169/mini/andrei.jpgBrandon Saad, Ryan O’Reilly sign long-term contracts with Columbus, BuffaloA pair of young NHL stars signed long-term contracts Friday.
Right winger Brandon Saad signed a six-year contract worth a reported $36 million with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a multi-player trade earlier in the week.
.@BSaad20: "I know (#CBJ) has a lot of talented guys. They're tough to play against & I'm happy to be a part of the team now."
— NHL Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 03, 2015
Veteran center Ryan O’Reilly also signed a seven-year deal worth a reported $52.5 million with the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres gave up multiple prospects and a 2015 second-round pick to acquire O’Reilly from the Colorado Avalanche last Friday.
The structure of O’Reilly’s contract is a bit unusual in that most of his yearly earnings are a signing bonus.
ROR contract very interesting. Salary is $1M per year. Rest is signing bonus: 10, 8, 7.5, 5, 5, 5 and 5.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 03, 2015
The Blue Jackets and Sabres have improved qu03 Jul 2015 18:05:58 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/brandon_saad_signs_6_year_contract_with_blue_jackets_ryan_oreilly_signs_7_year_deal_with_sabres/19090684
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/brandon_saad_signs_6_year_contract_with_blue_jackets_ryan_oreilly_signs_7_year_deal_with_sabres/19090684Brandon Saad, Ryan O’Reilly sign long-term contracts with Columbus, Buffalohttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/brandon_saad_signs_6_year_contract_with_blue_jackets_ryan_oreilly_signs_7_year_deal_with_sabres/19090684http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/d/cded981cb12daf2776b143a931def9273ea35ffc/mini/GettyImages-460862074.jpgToronto column after trade details Kessel's love of hot dogs Is it too late to nominate a late entry to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eat contest this weekend? Because Phil Kessel seems like a worthy contender.
The polarizing forward was traded Wednesday from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins in what was the biggest move of one of the NHL’s busiest days of the year.
Thus ends Kessel’s contentious time in Toronto where he and the Leafs never really lived up to expectations. Factor in a rabid media base and Kessel’s disdain for speaking with reporters, and you’ve got the recipe for plenty of hot takes from Toronto scribes. Steve Simmons, who’s been one of Kessel’s biggest detractors, took the forward to task in a column published Thursday.
It’s a pretty strong take, but the literally the first thing that catches your eye is this anecdote about Kessel’s affinity for hot dogs.
“The hot dog vendor who parks daily at Front and John Sts. just lost his most reliable customer,” Simmons wrote. “Almost every afternoon at 2:30 p.m., often wearin02 Jul 2015 12:56:27 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/phil_kessels_love_for_hot_dogs_revealed_in_toronto_column_following_trade/19083116
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/phil_kessels_love_for_hot_dogs_revealed_in_toronto_column_following_trade/19083116Toronto column after trade details Kessel's love of hot dogs http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/phil_kessels_love_for_hot_dogs_revealed_in_toronto_column_following_trade/19083116http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/5/a5600dc3424f11ee6e6051ca62062f8895d57e9f/mini/phil.jpgReport: Leafs trade Kessel to Penguins in multi-player dealNHL free agency began Wednesday at noon, but it’s a blockbuster trade that has stole the headlines.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded first-line right winger Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins, per Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos.
Sportsnet’s John Shannon reports the Penguins will send forward prospect Kasperi Kapanen, defenseman Scott Harrington and a draft pick to the Leafs.
Thumbnail photo via Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports Images
Filed under: NHL, NHL Free Agency, Nicholas Goss, Pittsburgh Penguins, Top Stories, Toronto Maple Leafs 01 Jul 2015 13:31:58 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_leafs_trade_phil_kessel_to_penguins_in_multi_player_deal/19076210
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_leafs_trade_phil_kessel_to_penguins_in_multi_player_deal/19076210Report: Leafs trade Kessel to Penguins in multi-player dealhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/report_leafs_trade_phil_kessel_to_penguins_in_multi_player_deal/19076210http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/a/fa0475cb0086ab70a69f51e048add3db20deea3e/mini/PhilKesselPenguins.jpgReport: Mike Richards incident involved oxycodone
The LA Kings terminated Mike Richards’ contract with the team and so far details have been difficult to find. It was easy to speculate that the termination was due to an off-ice incident, but the specifics have been kept under wraps. Pierre McGuire suggested the incident occurred at the Canadian border and now TMZ suggests it involved the drug oxycodone.
Via TMZ:
NHL officials have been notified that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation into ex-L.A. Kings player Mike Richards involves the prescription drug oxycodone … multiple sources tell TMZ Sports.
Our sources say Richards was stopped while crossing from the United States into Canada on June 17th … and we’re told he was questioned about oxycodone pills, a powerful painkiller. For the record, Richards has NOT been charged with a crime.
However, he has since been cut from the team for “a material breach of the requirements of his Standard Player’s Contract.”
It’s important to consider the source – TMZ is well ...01 Jul 2015 03:25:31 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_tmz_states_mike_richards_incident_involved_oxycodone/19057976
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_tmz_states_mike_richards_incident_involved_oxycodone/19057976Report: Mike Richards incident involved oxycodonehttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/report_tmz_states_mike_richards_incident_involved_oxycodone/19057976http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/5/55b5147bfef81f87a7f01b56b5d0625a4eb1aa21/mini/mike-richards.jpgKings terminate Mike Richards' contract due to 'breach'
The Los Angeles Kings released a bombshell of a statement today, announcing that they’ve terminated the contract of forward Mike Richards.
Here’s the press release from the club.
“The Los Angeles Kings today have exercised the team’s right to terminate the contract of Mike Richards for a material breach of the requirements of his Standard Player’s Contract. We are not prepared to provide any more detail or to discuss the underlying grounds for the contract termination at this time.”
While plenty of people have been speculating what exactly Richards did to get his contract terminated, no official details have been leaked online. Richards, who carries a salary of $5.75 per season until 2020, had a tough season last year and even spent time in the AHL.
The NHLPA is in the process of reviewing the case, and have the right to file of grievance. The unprecedented situation may get messy.
“We are in the process of reviewing the facts and circumstances of this matter, and will di...29 Jun 2015 19:49:29 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/the_la_kings_terminate_mike_richards_contract/19048979
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/the_la_kings_terminate_mike_richards_contract/19048979Kings terminate Mike Richards' contract due to 'breach'http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/the_la_kings_terminate_mike_richards_contract/19048979http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/b/4b1f1904e0c9f955cd1dc9441e1cfd9f86c3dbbd/mini/GettyImages-467446080.jpgReport: Dougie Hamilton 'uppity,' not liked by teammatesThe Boston Bruins made a couple of surprising moves last week when they traded away fan favorite Milan Lucic and 22-year-old defenseman Dougie Hamilton. The latter was coming off an impressive season in which he showed an ability to move the puck and was effective on both ends of the ice. So what gives? The...Read More29 Jun 2015 09:54:14 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_dougie_hamilton_is_an_uppity_kid_teammates_dont_like_him/19045181
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_dougie_hamilton_is_an_uppity_kid_teammates_dont_like_him/19045181Report: Dougie Hamilton 'uppity,' not liked by teammateshttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/report_dougie_hamilton_is_an_uppity_kid_teammates_dont_like_him/19045181http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/4/54701715000e192aa37533d8cbddc1407a73238e/mini/bruins.jpgCoyotes acquire Chris Pronger's contract
The Phoenix Coyotes need to reach the cap floor, so they’ve come up with a creative way to do so. Today, they’ve traded Sam Gagner and a conditional draft pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Nicklas Grossman and the contract of Chris Pronger – and no, that last bit is not a typo.
Pronger currently works for the NHL, but he hasn’t technically retired, as he’s obviously inactive due to concussion issues. He carries a $4.9 million cap hit, which was what attracted the Coyotes to including him in the deal. The Coyotes also get Grossman, a serviceable, yet unspectacular defenseman, who carries a $3.5 million cap hit (with the Flyers retaining 500k).
Philadelphia general manager Ron Hextall told Katie Strang of ESPN that the move was good for both teams.
“It’s the type of deal that works for both teams. I don’t think Arizona’s going to be up against the top and we are, and it’s a deal that they get a good player and finally we get some cap relief, so it’s one of those deal27 Jun 2015 19:48:57 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/the_arizona_coyotes_have_acquired_chris_prongers_contract/19039712
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/the_arizona_coyotes_have_acquired_chris_prongers_contract/19039712Coyotes acquire Chris Pronger's contracthttp://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/the_arizona_coyotes_have_acquired_chris_prongers_contract/19039712http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/1/c1f1f409625aec9d8d20351ae59d1085cb531150/mini/pronger.jpgBruins trade Lucic to Kings for draft pick, Jones The Boston Bruins have been busy in the trade market before Friday’s NHL Draft.
First, the Bruins traded defenseman Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames for three 2015 draft picks. Soon after, they reportedly dealt veteran winger Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times.
Boston received L.A.’s first-round pick, backup goaltender Martin Jones (who’s also an RFA) and defenseman prospect Colin Miller.
The Bruins now have three 2015 first round picks: Nos. 13, 14 and 15.
Lucic spent eight seasons in Boston and tallied 342 points (139 goals, 203 assists) in 566 games. He also posted 61 points (26 goals, 35 assists) in 96 playoff games, including 12 points in 25 games during the Bruins’ run to a Stanley Cup championship in 2010-11.
After tallying a career-high 30 goals and 62 points in 2010-11, Lucic’s scoring production has decreased in each of the last four non-lockout seasons.
2015 NHL Draft Preview >>
Thumbnail26 Jun 2015 17:35:31 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/reports_bruins_trade_milan_lucic_to_kings_for_draft_pick_martin_jones_prospect/19035257
http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/reports_bruins_trade_milan_lucic_to_kings_for_draft_pick_martin_jones_prospect/19035257Bruins trade Lucic to Kings for draft pick, Jones http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/reports_bruins_trade_milan_lucic_to_kings_for_draft_pick_martin_jones_prospect/19035257http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/a/1a0e646b52a21de8049dd6e62e42cb97bb34a687/mini/Milan_Lucic_April_9_2015.jpg